Because I am going to compete in the USAPL and they allow shirts. To give you an idea my best raw bench was 155 and with a loose shirt my first time using it I could push 190 and it didn't feel too hard, just different. It would be a huge disadvantage to me to not use a shirt. I want to compete in the USAPL for a few reasons; it is the largest federation for female lifters; its drug-tested; the Arnold now gets feed from the federation and I truly believe I am good enough to compete at the Arnold in the future. That to me would be incredible...

I do squat tomorrow but it isn't going to be a heavy day (at least I don't think so...I have been letting Lance have control over my training so I guess we will see!) I will definitely get a few sets on camera-oh and Block is supposed to meet me at the gym too so it should be a fun day!!

Because I am going to compete in the USAPL and they allow shirts. To give you an idea my best raw bench was 155 and with a loose shirt my first time using it I could push 190 and it didn't feel too hard, just different. It would be a huge disadvantage to me to not use a shirt. I want to compete in the USAPL for a few reasons; it is the largest federation for female lifters; its drug-tested; the Arnold now gets feed from the federation and I truly believe I am good enough to compete at the Arnold in the future. That to me would be incredible...

Not a great workout today...unfortunately I have a few personal issues that I have been dealing with and have been very stressed for a few days and I think I felt it a bit in my workout. Also my recovery in general seems to be taking awhile...strange pains that I haven't felt before in my legs...

I did tape a few of my squat sets and I am completely reverting back to my bad squatting habits...my knees are totally over my feet and the guys keep telling me that my hips aren't in the right place but I am not getting it. Also I could go a bit deeper in some of the reps. We will probably work in a bunch of sets next week with lighter weight and working on proper techinique.

My camera started to run out of batteries so I only taped 2 sets in the middle although one of my partners got a few on his camera so once he loads them I can link to them.

good stuff Jenny, i disagree partly with Hedge on the form, i think it was pretty good, you're leaning forward a little but nothing major, the "head up" thing is a little overrated i think, just squat how you're most comfortable, as long as you're not looking down you're fine, EXTREMELY good effort, you can tell she is a very hard worker.

BTW not everyone has to squat exactly like a top level Olympic lifter, that's like saying that EVRY bodybuilder on any level should look like Ronnie Coleman or Jay Cutler, genetics are involved in squatting form just like everything else in life.

lol about the mirror. We usually squat on a different rack but Dean was already there and we would have been racking and unracking the whole night. We squatted on a different rack and I noticed the mirror there in the beginning but it actually messes me up now when I watch myself. I tried to look to see how deep I was going during my warm-up and it threw me off so yes I was in front of a mirror but I wasn't looking, I actually do look up when I am squatting. So I am supposed to be looking up more? It is hard to tell in those vids though.

Thanks for the comments guys. I am done today My hip flexor's are TIRED!! It is nice to have a day off.

lol about the mirror. We usually squat on a different rack but Dean was already there and we would have been racking and unracking the whole night. We squatted on a different rack and I noticed the mirror there in the beginning but it actually messes me up now when I watch myself. I tried to look to see how deep I was going during my warm-up and it threw me off so yes I was in front of a mirror but I wasn't looking, I actually do look up when I am squatting. So I am supposed to be looking up more? It is hard to tell in those vids though.

Thanks for the comments guys. I am done today My hip flexor's are TIRED!! It is nice to have a day off.

don't worry about the whole "looking up" bullshit, as long as you're not looking down or sideways you're fine, anyone who has squatted HEAVY understands that all this "look up, keep the hips tight, count to 3, breathe in, sit back, etc., etc." nonsense goes out the window just like how with the deadlift people say "keep your hips down" but when that weight gets HEAVY the first thing that happens is that those hips straighten out, just keep your form DECENT and you're fine.

BTW not everyone has to squat exactly like a top level Olympic lifter, that's like saying that EVRY bodybuilder on any level should look like Ronnie Coleman or Jay Cutler, genetics are involved in squatting form just like everything else in life.

True. Squat form depends a lot on leg length in relation to torso length.

Short legs long torso = straight up oly squats.Short torso long legs = more of a goodmorning squat.

Hey Beast, it's not that you HAVE to look up or anything like that. What you HAVE to do is try to master the proper form/technique to get the most out of the equipment you are planning on using. It's not just about successfully squatting heavy weight. If that were the case, your squats would be FINE just the way they are.You need to train for using a squat suit. YES, some people squat with better form than others, some lean forwards, some lean back more... you don't have to be genetically gifted to learn how to squat properly for your specific purpose, though.

Whether you look up or not, you should focus on trying to keep your back as erect as you can and your weight back over your hips/ass a little more. For me, it's easiest to do this if I pick a spot on the ceiling and stare at it the entire time I am squatting. That helps me to keep upright more and to sort of lead with my chest on the way up.

I would recommend lightening up the weight and mastering the form/technique, at least for a couple of workouts... clearly you have the strength, so that's not a problem right now.

OK I got my first videos today! We benched and had a decent workout, when watching these videos I feel like I am all over the place. Once of the guys at the gym had a size 42 Katana that he let me try out to see. We figured it would be big (and it was) but still gave me a lot of support and helped me stay with my elbows in...plus we have a better idea of the size I will need in the Katana (we are thinking a 36 or 38)

Lance was actually competing this weekend and did great yesterday, he totaled 2341 and his indivudual lifts were

Squat: 975Bench: 633Deadlif: 733

From my reports I guess he probably had more on Squat, all three were good lifts. I am pushing for him to hit 1000 at Nationals this year!!!! How incredible. His Bench I guess was very rushed with his warm-up time and I think it threw him off, his best is 661. Deadlift, I know he has hit 803 as his best so he has more in him...

I really wish I could have been there to see it but I will be at his Nationals in July!